prominent, not fluent 3rd, headway 7th, not fluent next, lost place and ridden 4 out, soon behind
prominent, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no impression on winner flat, held on for 2nd
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, jumped slowly 6th, not fluent and pushed along 8th, lost touch after 4 out
mid-division, closed 4th, challenged 3 out, led approacing next, stayed on well flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
led, jumped right 2nd, not fluent next, headed 4 out, 4th when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, not fluent 4 out, headway from 4 out, went 3rd approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat
held up in rear, headway 8th, going well 3 out, ridden after 2 out, no extra last
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, never quite able to challenge
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Leo's Lucky Star ran a lot better than expected when just touched off by Royal Charm at Exeter but it may not pay to take that form too literally. David Pipe has also entered I'msingingtheblues but he has an alternative engagement at Chepstow. Paul Nicholls saddles Tchico Polos and FREE WORLD, with the latter preferred on his second at Kempton. The seven-year-old is weighted to reverse Cheltenham running with French Opera last winter and is more consistent than Nicky Henderson's other runner Dave's Dream. Oh Crick is well weighted on his best form but finished behind both Fiendish Flame and Cornas at Cheltenham last month and seems to be suffering from a lack of confidence at present.
French Opera 7-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr beating Tchico Polos (11-7) by 6l, 5 ran.
Tchico Polos (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway when fell 4 out, in a race won by Little Josh (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Free World (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 4 out, driven next, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Riverside Theatre (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) gd in Nov.
Cornas (NZ) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division on inside, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never on terms, 4th of 13, 24l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Dec.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no extra last 100 yards, 4th of 15, 6l behind Tartak (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Led, headed and blundered 8th, remained in touch, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Dec.
Oh Crick (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 28l behind Woolcombe Folly (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Dec.
Leo's Lucky Star (USA) 18-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear and keen, headway 6th,led after 2 out, pressed from last ridden flat, kept on, headed post, 2nd of 5, hd behind Royal Charm (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f grad ch (2) gs in Dec.
Riguez Dancer 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 11f out, challenged 5f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression on winner 1f out, edged left and stayed on final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Palomar (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (5yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Dave's Dream (IRE) 5-1fav (10-11) Mid-division on outside, reminders from 4th, lost place 10th, soon behind, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Poquelin (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
Silk Drum (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Led, joined by winner 3 out, ridden after last, headed narrowly flat, kept on and every chance until no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Bedlam Boy (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (2) sft in Mar.
